The Shippensburg University men's basketball team combined with home-standing West Chester on Saturday for 63 fouls, 67 free-throw attempts and 90 rebounds in an uber-physical road showdown, with the Golden Rams using a 13-0 run in the second half to claim an 87-77 victory in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup at Hollinger Field House.
 
Shippensburg (15-5, 9-3 PSAC) and West Chester (14-5, 10-2) both struggled from the field in the opening half, with neither team shooting above 35 percent over the first 20 minutes. The Golden Rams entered the intermission with a 30-29 lead, marking just the third time this season that the Raiders trailed at the half.
 
What little rhythm that had been established during the game's first stanza came to a screeching halt in the second half, as the final 20 minutes of play featured 40 combined fouls and nearly as many free-throw attempts (53) as field-goal attempts (63).
 
The turning point began three minutes into the second half, as the Golden Rams unleashed a 22-4 run beginning at the 16:45 mark to flip a five-point deficit into a 58-45 lead with 11:31 remaining. SU got within seven points with 8:46 left but WCU immediately countered with an 8-1 run. The Raiders could only get as close as eight points down the stretch.
 
Shippensburg and West Chester entered the game as two of the nation's Top 6 offensive rebounding teams (WCU at No. 1, SU at No. 6 (4th in the PSAC)). The Raiders grabbed 21 offensive rebounds to the Golden Rams' 13 on Saturday, and won the rebounding battle by a 47-43 margin. SU out-scored WCU on second chances 21-11, but the Golden Rams won the battle in the paint 40-30.
 
Regarding the free-throw shooting, Shippensburg shot 76 percent with season highs in makes (29) and attempts (38). West Chester shot 72 percent (28-of-39). From three-point range, neither team shot above 25 percent – with the Raiders finishing 23 percent (6-of-26) from distance.  
 
SU's leading scorer was redshirt-freshman Dom Sleva, who produced a double-double off the bench with 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Sleva was 5-of-10 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, and 6-of-11 from the free-throw line. He also led all players with five offensive rebounds in 26 minutes. Despite just one start to his credit, Sleva has now posted double figures in six games this season.
 
Junior John Castello provided 16 points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes before fouling out. Sophomore Jake Biss had 12 points and four assists, while senior Antonio Kellem contributed 11 points and six assists.
 
Redshirt-senior Manny Span returned with six points and six rebounds, going 4-of-4 at the free-throw line. Off the bench, junior Daylon Carter scored eight points, going 6-of-7 at the free-throw line.
 
West Chester got a game-high 23 points from Malik Jackson – with 20 of those points coming in the second half. The Golden Rams shot 55 percent in the second half compared to a 35-percent rate for the Raiders.
 
The victory puts the Golden Rams atop the Eastern Division by one game over the Raiders, with East Stroudsburg and Millersville lurking close behind in the divisional standings.

SCHEDULE NOTE: At halftime of Wednesday night's home game, Shippensburg University will host a halftime performance by the United States Army Drill Team.
 
UP NEXT: Wednesday, 8 p.m. vs. Bloomsburg.